Casino Card Game

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method of playing a card game including a system of wagering on a card game against the house. The card game loosely combines the components of blackjack and poker in a three card game having various wagers paying out. The wagers may include an ante, play and insurance wager which pay out based upon either even money or by a pay table. Winning and losing hands are essentially based upon the game of blackjack with a hand hierarchy ranked in part on poker. The hand hierarchy ranks hands of 21 based on suites, straights, three of a kind and ace value card combinations.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a card game for wagering and in greater detail the invention relates to a card game having aspects of the traditional card games of blackjack and poker to be played in a casino against a house dealer.

BACKGROUND

Casino games are currently a billion dollar industry. Casinos are greatly interested in new games of chance to attract players to their casinos. Additionally, casinos are further interested in games which generate as much gaming action as possible, in order to increase profitability.

Poker and blackjack are two well known card games played by two or more persons, sometimes casually for fun and often for wagering and entertainment in a casino where there are standard card tables, seating arrangements, house dealers and house rules, security and protocols.

The standard games of blackjack and poker as played in casinos players have their strategies and the casinos have their betting and bonus payoffs. The game of blackjack has remained essentially unchanged in its basic rules since such is designed to be a house game played against the dealer's hand.

However, traditional poker in casinos is played in card rooms and casinos allow players to compete head to head against other players. The casino typically charges a fee or vigorish for the privilege to play at the table, and so is one of the rare wagering games in which the casino does not have a built-in percentage advantage per game.

Many new approaches to poker have been developed for casino table games that can be played on a blackjack-like table, in which the players compete against the house or against a paytable, and in which the house has an edge or percentage advantage. These poker variations now rival the popularity of blackjack in many venues.

One variant is a version of 5-card stud played against a paytable that requires a three-part bet, and allows the withdrawal of up to two parts of the total bet after viewing certain cards. The downside of the game for the player is that simple strategy rules determine whether the player should withdraw part of the wager, so there is a lack of involvement and risk-taking decisions that typify the casino poker player. A further variant commonly known as Caribbean Poker is a 5-card stud game played against the dealer's qualified hand and a paytable. An optional side bet can be placed to qualify for a progressive jackpot, but the high casino advantage on this wager may discourage the player.

Over time people have developed variations in each of these games seeking to make them more interesting, exciting and/or challenging. A few attempts have been made to develop games combining features of both poker and blackjack. For example, one such method includes a combination of blackjack, draw poker, and baccarat in which each player plays at least two of the three games against the dealer and other players. In the blackjack and baccarat game combination each player can play both games against the dealer and other player. In combining poker and blackjack one game includes a modified draw poker and blackjack game mixed into a situation in which each player bets and plays against other players and the house dealer.

A further attempt at combining the game of poker and blackjack is known as Pojack. Pojack is a game played in two phases, one phase being blackjack and the other poker. The player elects playing either blackjack, poker or both games in succession. The cards are first dealt for blackjack with winners chosen using standard blackjack rules and then further cards are dealt to complete a full 5 card hand to play poker. The stated advantage of this game is that both poker and blackjack can be played at the same table. However, this game fails to combine the aspects of both poker and blackjack into a single game.

What is needed is a game that can combine elements of the popular games of blackjack and poker in a manner that can generate a wagering action from players in the play of a single house game.

SUMMARY

The present method of playing a card game includes a system of wagering on a card game against the house. The card game loosely combines the components of blackjack and poker in a three card game having various wagers paying out. The wagers include an ante, play and insurance wager which pay out based upon either even odds or by a pay table. Winning and losing hands are essentially based upon the game of blackjack and the pay table based in part on poker. Blackjack hands are further ranked on a hierarchy based upon suites, card rank and the like as in poker.

In greater detail, disclosed is a method of playing a wagering card game being played between a dealer and one or more players. The method includes receiving an ante wager from the player and dealing a first and a second card to the player to form a player's hand. The method then includes receiving a play wager from the player, whereby the player determines the placement of the play wager based upon value of the combined cards dealt to the player. The method then includes paying the ante wager even money based upon a dealer's hand exceeding a combined sum of 16 and the sum of the player's cards exceeds the dealer's while not exceeding the combined sum of 21. Furthermore, the method includes paying the play wager according to the pay table based upon the player's dealt cards if the dealer's hand exceeds the combined sum of 16 and the sum of the player's cards exceeds the dealer's while not exceeding the combined sum of 21.

Additionally, the method includes receiving a third card and that both the player's hand and the dealer's hand do not exceed three cards. The dealer must take a third card if the combined value of the first two cards dealt does not exceed 17. Also, the play wager is not paid if the dealer's hand exceeds 21.

Furthermore, the present method of playing a wagering card game being played between a dealer and one or more players includes receiving an insurance wager from the player. The insurance wager is paid if the dealer's hand is less than 17 according to the pay table based upon the player's dealt cards. The insurance wager is lost if the dealer's hand qualifies or is at least 17.

In an embodiment the ante wager is equal to the insurance wager. Additionally, the play wager is equal to the ante wager. The insurance and play wagers are also paid according to a hand hierarchy in a pay table. The pay table pays 4-1 for A/10 value cards unsuited, 10-1 for A/10 value card suited, 50-1 for a hand of 777, 100-1 for a 678 suited straight and 250-1 for an A, K, Q suited.

DRAWING In the Drawing:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a playing surface which includes a plurality of betting areas, where each of the betting areas is adapted for use by one player and each of the betting areas includes an ante wager area and a play wager area;

FIG. 2 is a further plan view of the playing surface in an additional embodiment which includes a plurality of betting areas; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the parts of one electronic configuration of the method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is a method of playing a card game including a system of wagering on a card game against the house. The card game loosely combines the components of blackjack and poker in a three card game having various pay outs. The wagers may include an ante, play and insurance wager which pay out based upon either even money or by a pay table. Winning and losing hands are essentially based upon the game of blackjack with a hand hierarchy ranked in part on poker. The pay table odds are based upon the ranked hierarchy of a hand of two or three cards. The hand hierarchy ranks hands of 21 based on suites, straights, three of a kind and ace value card combinations.

In greater detail, the method of playing a wagering card game being played between a dealer and one or more players includes providing a playing surface as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The playing surface includes a plurality of betting areas, where each of the betting areas is adapted for use by one player and each of the betting areas includes an ante wager area 2 and a play wager area 4. While the wager areas 2, 4 are shown having a particular shape, such illustration is for illustrative purposes and other shapes or placements are contemplated. The game may be played on a standard blackjack table covered with the felt cover 8 of the game as shown in the figures. The game can be played with up to nine (9) players in an embodiment. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 seven (7) seated positions are shown.

In the method of playing the present wagering card game the house receives an ante wager from the player. The term “house” refers to a gambling casino or the entity that runs the game of chance. The present method may be played either in a casino using a table and cards or via a terminal either via the internet or electronic gaming machine.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of the electronic format according to an embodiment. In the electronic format a processing unit 12 can be connected to known components such as an output unit 14 such as a computer display. The processing unit 12 can also be connected to an input unit 16 (e.g. touch screen, keyboard, etc.). The processing unit 12 can also be connected to a network unit(s) 18 (e.g. comp card system, software server, Internet, etc.). The processing unit 12 can also be connected to a ROM 18 and a RAM 20, and any other known components needed to operate electronic versions of wagering games.

In the method a first and a second card is dealt to the player to form a player's hand, wherein the player's cannot exceed three cards, after the ante wager is placed. The house then receives a play wager from the player equal to the ante wager, whereby the player determines the placement of the play wager based upon value of the combined cards dealt to the player. The dealer then reveals a first dealt card and receives an insurance wager from the player equal to the ante wager if the player wishes to insure the bet against the dealer's hand not qualifying or not reaching a combined three card value of 17.

The method pays the ante wager based upon the dealer's hand exceeding a combined sum of 16 and the sum of the player's cards exceeding the dealer's while not exceeding the combined sum of 21. The method further pays the insurance wager if the dealer's hand is less than 17 according to the pay table based upon the player's dealt cards. The method additionally pays the play wager according to the pay table based upon the player's dealt cards if the dealer's hand exceeds the combined sum of 16 and does not exceed the combined sum of 21 and the sum of the player's cards exceeds the dealer's while not exceeding combined sum of 21

In further detail and in an embodiment, the game is played with a regular deck of 52 cards; no jokers or wildcards, and all the cards are scored at face value. Aces count as 1 or 11 to the player's advantage, court cards are valued at 10 and the order of hands is shown in the pay table on the fourth page. Each round or game is dealt from a freshly shuffled and cut deck of cards and has an average house edge of about 6%.

Game Play

In playing the game, it can be played by way of example with up to nine players plus a dealer and should be played on a table similar to that of a blackjack table. The game may in an embodiment the use of no more than 30 cards at any one time. The objective of the game is for the sum of the player's cards to outscore the dealer's, without exceeding a value of 21.

The player must place an “ante” wager prior to any cards being dealt. This indicates player participation. Two cards are then dealt to the player alternately, and one to the dealer. All cards are dealt face down at this stage. The player shall decide at this point whether to continue further in the game or not based upon the sum of the first two cards he's received.

Should the player wish to continue, the player can make a further bet equal to that of the “ante” as the “play” wager. The player shall place his two cards face down on the table in the “play” box area and place the chip(s) on top of the cards. The table layout can indicate where to place cards and chips. Should the player wish to end the game, then he may “fold”, which requires the said player to forfeit the “ante” amount and return the cards to the dealer. He is then out of the game and cannot participate any further until the start of the next game.

The dealer may then offer a third card drawing option to all remaining players. If “yes”, then the third card is dealt face-up and is positioned along side the player's betting area. If “no”, then the dealer moves to the next player until all players have exhausted that option. The dealer offers the drawing option from his left to right. The game has a one card only drawing rule.

When all players have been addressed, the dealer shall reveal his face down card. To qualify, the dealer must achieve a score of 17 or above using a maximum of three cards. The dealer must take a third card should the sum of his first two card equal 16 or less. Should the dealer achieve a score between 17 and 21, then the player's cards are revealed and the bets shall be paid or taken accordingly.

Both the “ante” and the “play” wagers are paid even money should the sum of the cards outscore the dealer without exceeding 21, although the “play” bet may be awarded more than even money depending upon the hand. Both bets lose should the dealer outscore the player. Both bets lose should the sum of the player's cards exceed 21 (bust). Once all bets have been addressed, the cards shall be cleared from the table and placed in the discard holder, ready for the next game.

Should the dealer achieve a score of 22 or more (bust), then all players are paid even money (1-1) on the “ante” wager regardless of their score. The “play” wager stands. The player's cards are not revealed unless the player requests so. The cards are collected and stored in the discard holder. Should the dealer achieve a score of 16 or less using a maximum of three cards (does not qualify—DNQ) then all “ante” and “play” bets automatically stand regardless of their score. The cards are not revealed but they are collected as per above. The ACE counts as 1 or 11, but the dealer will consider soft 17 or higher as a qualifying hand for himself and will stand. The only exception to the dealer's drawing rules is if he achieves 20 by way of suited KQ or QK. He is then required to draw a third card so that the possibility of achieving a suited AKQ is available to the house. Of course, “A” indicates the Ace, “K” the king, “Q” the queen and “J” for jack.

Insurance Wager

Insurance is a measure that protects a player's hand against the dealer not qualifying. Ordinarily, all “ante” and “play” wagers would be stand/push bets should the dealer fail to reach a score of 17 or higher. However, the player may choose to place this additional insurance bet (equal to that of the “ante”) upon the dealer revealing his originally dealt face-down card. The dealer shall offer the insurance bet option to all players at large on each game. The insurance wager only wins when the dealer fails to qualify, and loses when the dealer does qualify (all other times).

Any hand that the player holds can be insured, including “bust” hands. Should the dealer not qualify, then the player that has wagered an insurance bet shall have their cards revealed, and the insurance bet is paid at the appropriate odds for that hand according to the pay table on the following page. A per the main game rules, the “ante” and “play” bets stand and only the insurance bet is paid in this situation should it be placed.

Should the dealer achieve a score between 17 and 21, then all insurance bets lose immediately. The player's cards are revealed, and the “ante” and “play” bets are paid or taken accordingly as per the main game rules. If the dealer busts (22 or higher), then all insurance bets lose immediately. The “ante” bets are paid even money. The “play” bets always stand when the dealer busts. Should the player insure his own “bust” hand and the dealer DNQ, then the insurance bet pays 1-1. The player is permitted to insure any hand they hold regardless of the score.

Below is the pay table for paying of the play and insurance wagers. The payouts below are by way of example for an embodiment and may be altered to provide other payouts. For example, the 10-1 payout may be 6-1 and the 4-1 payout may be 3 to 2.

Pay Table for Play and Insurance Wagers Order Payouts Statistics QKQ suited 250-1 1 in 5525 (player), 1 in 16575 (house) 678 suited 100-1 1 in 5525 777  50-1 1 in 5525 AK suited  10-1 1 in 331 AQ suited  10-1 1 in 331 AJ suited  10-1 1 in 331 A10 suited  10-1 1 in 331 AK off suit  4-1 1 in 110 AQ off suit  4-1 1 in 110 AJ off suit  4-1 1 in 110 A10 off suit  4-1 1 in 110  21 standard  1-1  20 standard  1-1  19 standard  1-1  18 standard  1-1. (all winning hands pay 1-1 on the ante wager and 1-1 or higher on pay and insurance wager)

The ACE/10 value suited cards are considered equal to each other within the rank/group, as off-suit equivalents are. However, all suited combinations beat all off-suit combinations. Should the dealer hold the same hierarchy of hand as the player such as both hands being ACE/TEN value suited, then it shall be considered a stand off or “push” bet.

Games Rules for Players

In an embodiment the rules for the players include dealing from a freshly shuffled and cut deck of 52 standard playing cards. The cards are not exhaustive. The player must be present upon completion of the initial deal in order to be accepted into the game. The player should be seated at all times during the game, whilst present at the table.

If a player is absent before the start of the initial deal but having already placed an “ante” bet, then their bet shall be removed from the table and they shall be dealt out of that hand until such times as they return to the table to make a new bet. If a player is absent from the table prior to the drawing option and has not previously voiced their drawing intentions, then their hand will remain a two card hand, and the play must continue to the next player. If a player is absent from the table during the offering of the insurance bet and has not previously voiced their insurance related betting options, then no insurance can be placed by any third party on their behalf and the game shall continue in the normal fashion.

Players are only permitted to play only one box/hand position per game. The player must place an “ante” wager in order to participate. This must be done before the first card is dealt and cannot be withdrawn once play has begun. Players are not permitted to handle, commit money, call or advise on other players' hands whatsoever during the game. Only the players themselves are permitted to handle their own cards and any subsequent bets related to their hand at any time. Observers are not permitted to handle any cards or commit money on behalf of a player should the player be absent from the table.

The player must place a “play” wager (equal to that of the “ante” wager) should they wish to participate further in the game. No player can be involved in a game whatsoever should they not have a stake in the game, as per above rules. The player is not obliged to view their cards in order to play the game, but it is in their best interest to do so in order to make an informed decision on how to best continue in the game. Players are not permitted to view each others cards during the game under any circumstances.

Players may play a hand whilst absent from the table however they must be present during the initial deal and voice their intentions regarding betting and drawing to the dealer before leaving the table, whereby the dealer only may act on behalf of the player to solely carry out the player's requests. However, once the hand has been completed, then all monies located in the betting area must be removed from the table until such times as the player returns to the table to make a new bet. This is to avoid players being drawn into a game where they have no opportunity to view or assess their hand. Ultimately however, the house shall have the final decision. Players are not permitted to make a bet and then immediately leave the table during the deal. The house shall have the final decision.

Insurance wagers insure a player's hand against the House not qualifying. The player is permitted to make an “insurance” bet once the dealer has revealed his face down card, up until such times as the dealer deals himself a second card. Only the player concerned may place insurance bets for their own hand. Any player absent from the table during the call for Insurance cannot have their Insurance bet placed by proxy. The only person permitted to make an Insurance bet on behalf of a player is the dealer and only at the express wish of the player concerned prior to their absence.

The ACE is counted as either 1 or 11 to the player's advantage. The player may draw a third card on any two-card combination without exception. A player wishing to draw a third card on an Ace/ten value score in the most part shall not stand to improve their score by doing so however there may be times when it positively affects the outcome of the game in favor of the player.

The player's face down cards shall remain so until the dealer reveals a score. If the dealer “busts” or DNQ, then players without “insurance” bets may request their own cards to be shown, otherwise the cards shall be cleared face down and placed into the discard holder. The players' cards are revealed by the dealer when the dealer achieves a score of 17-21 (playable hand). Any jackpot progressive bets must be placed before any cards are dealt. This would usually be £1 but the House may set the minimum for internal Jackpot Structures. Jackpot hands shall include AKQ, 678 and 777 as a minimum.

Games Rules for the House

In an embodiment, the rules for the dealer include the dealer to deal to a minimum of one box/player position. The dealer shall deal the game from his left to right as per regular casino card games. Should the dealer deal too many cards to one or more players; reveal his card to one or more players before the appropriate time in the game; miss out a playing position from the deal or deals to an additional playing position, then these situations shall all be considered as misdeals. However, the house shall have the final decision in all misdeal situations.

Should a misdeal occur, then all the cards should be collected and the game shall be considered void. If monies have been paid or taken by the house, then all refunds must be issued by the house or player accordingly. The cards shall be re-shuffled and re-cut, and the game shall be re-dealt. Should a player's card be revealed during the deal, then this shall not be considered as a misdeal. The card shall be turned face-down, and the game should continue in the normal fashion.

The “insurance” bet shall only be offered after the dealer has revealed his first face down card. Bets for “insurance” should not be accepted before and cannot be accepted if the dealer has dealt himself a second card and made an initial score. However, should the dealer not offer “insurance” (through error) and continues to deal, then the dealer's cards must be returned to the deck, in order, and the “insurance” bet must be offered to all players at this stage. This shall not be considered as a misdeal. Game play shall then continue as normal.

The dealer must draw up to a minimum score of 17 using a maximum of three cards in order to qualify (please see definitions below). If a suited KQ or QK should be dealt as the house hand, then a third card must be drawn by the dealer. This enables the house to potentially achieve a suited AKQ hand. The dealer is not permitted to draw a third card on a suited two-card combination of AK or AQ. Wagers are paid out by the dealer from right to left as per regular casino card games. Of a progressive jackpot is used paid out is from right to left just as regular bets are paid. Should two or more players hold Jackpot winning hands in the same game, then the set percentage is given from right to left as per regular payout structure.

In an alternative embodiment depicting a further game, there may be played among several players without a dealer a similar game wherein the players play against each other with the winning hand taking the pot. The winning hand is determined by the same rules and the same hierarchy as described in the method of playing a wagering card game being played between a dealer and one or more players. In this further game there are three rounds of betteting between the players based upon each card dealt, with the third card being optional.

While Applicant has set forth embodiments as illustrated and described above, it is recognized that variations may be made with respect to disclosed embodiments. Therefore, while the invention has been disclosed in various forms only, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many additions, deletions and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, and no undue limits should be imposed except as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of playing a wagering card game being played between a dealer and one or more players, the method comprising: receiving an ante wager from the player; dealing a first and a second card to the player to form a player's hand; receiving a play wager from the player, whereby the player determines the placement of the play wager based upon value of the combined cards dealt to the player; paying the ante wager even money based upon a dealer's hand exceeding a combined sum of 16 and the sum of the player's cards exceeds the dealer's while not exceeding the combined sum of 21; and paying the play wager according to the pay table based upon the player's dealt cards if the dealer's hand exceeds the combined sum of 16 and the sum of the player's cards exceeds the dealer's while not exceeding the combined sum of
 21. 2. The method of claim 1, further including the player receiving a third card.
 3. The method of claim 2, further including the player's hand does not exceed three cards.
 4. The method of claim 1, further including the dealer's hand does not exceed three cards.
 5. The method of claim 4, where the dealer must take a third card if the combined value of the first two cards dealt does not exceed
 17. 6. The method of claim 1, where the play wager is not paid if the dealer's hand exceeds
 21. 7. The method of claim 1, further including receiving an insurance wager from the player.
 8. The method of claim 7, further including paying the insurance wager if the dealer's hand is less than 17 according to the pay table based upon the player's dealt cards.
 9. The method of claim 7, where the insurance wager is equal to the ante wager.
 10. The method of claim 1, where the play wager is equal to the ante wager.
 11. The method of claim 1, where the pay table has the following payout odds for the indicated hands as follows: QKQ suited 250-1 678 suited 100-1 777  50-1 AK suited  10-1 AQ suited  10-1 AJ suited  10-1 A10 suited  10-1 AK off suit  4-1 AQ off suit  4-1 AJ off suit  4-1 A10 off suit  4-1  21 standard  1-1  20 standard  1-1  19 standard  1-1  18 standard  1-1.


12. The method of claim 1, further including the step of providing a playing surface which includes a plurality of betting areas, where each of the betting areas is adapted for use by one player and each of the betting areas includes an ante wager area and a play wager area.
 13. A method of playing a wagering card game being played between a dealer and one or more players, the method comprising: receiving an ante wager from the player; dealing a first and a second card to the player to form a player's hand; receiving a play wager from the player, whereby the player determines the placement of the play wager based upon value of the combined cards dealt to the player; revealing the dealer's first dealt card and receiving an insurance wager from the player; paying the ante wager based upon the dealer's hand exceeding a combined sum of 16 and the sum of the player's cards exceeding the dealer's while not exceeding the combined sum of 21; paying the insurance wager if the dealer's hand is less than 17 according to the pay table based upon the player's dealt cards; and paying the play wager according to the pay table based upon the player's dealt cards if the dealer's hand exceeds the combined sum of 16 and does not exceed the combined sum of 21 and the sum of the player's cards exceeds the dealer's while not exceeding combined sum of
 21. 14. The method of claim 13, further including the player receiving a third card and the player's hand not exceeding three cards.
 15. The method of claim 13, further including the dealer's hand does not exceed three cards and the dealer must take a third card if the combined value of the first two cards dealt does not exceed
 17. 16. The method of claim 13, where the insurance wager and the ante wager is equal to the ante wager.
 17. The method of claim 13, where the pay table has the following payout odds for the indicated hands as follows: QKQ suited 250-1 678 suited 100-1 777  50-1 AK suited  10-1 AQ suited  10-1 AJ suited  10-1 A10 suited  10-1 AK off suit  4-1 AQ off suit  4-1 AJ off suit  4-1 A10 off suit  4-1  21 standard  1-1  20 standard  1-1  19 standard  1-1  18 standard  1-1.


18. A method of playing a wagering card game being played between a dealer and one or more players, the method comprising: providing a playing surface which includes a plurality of betting areas, where each of the betting areas is adapted for use by one player and each of the betting areas includes an ante wager area and a play wager area; receiving an ante wager from the player; dealing a first and a second card to the player to form a player's hand, wherein the player's cannot exceed three cards; receiving a play wager from the player equal to the ante wager, whereby the player determines the placement of the play wager based upon value of the combined cards dealt to the player; revealing the dealer's first dealt card and receiving an insurance wager from the player equal to the ante wager; paying the ante wager based upon the dealer's hand exceeding a combined sum of 16 and the sum of the player's cards exceeding the dealer's while not exceeding the combined sum of 21; paying the insurance wager if the dealer's hand is less than 17 according to the pay table based upon the player's dealt cards; and paying the play wager according to the pay table based upon the player's dealt cards if the dealer's hand exceeds the combined sum of 16 and does not exceed the combined sum of 21 and the sum of the player's cards exceeds the dealer's while not exceeding combined sum of
 21. 19. The method of claim 18, further including the dealer's hand does not exceed three cards and the dealer must take a third card if the combined value of the first two cards dealt does not exceed
 17. 20. The method of claim 18, where the pay table has the following payout odds for the indicated hands as follows: QKQ suited 250-1 678 suited 100-1 777  50-1 AK suited  10-1 AQ suited  10-1 AJ suited  10-1 A10 suited  10-1 AK off suit  4-1 AQ off suit  4-1 AJ off suit  4-1 A10 off suit  4-1  21 standard  1-1  20 standard  1-1  19 standard  1-1  18 standard  1-1. 